Digital aviation artists showcased in Aeroplane

The new breed of aviation artists - those who use digital techniques rather than traditional paint and canvas — are the subject of a major feature in May's Aeroplane magazine.

"Anyone who has looked at state-of-the-art flight-sim games will know the strides that have been made in the realism and vibrancy of virtual historic aircraft", says Aeroplane Editor Michael Oakey, "but up until now digital art has not really been accepted into the mainstream of aviation art. I believe that is about to change, which is why we are devoting substantial print space to it in the magazine."

Aeroplane is no stranger to digital art, having featured the highly acclaimed work of Ian Bott in its Aeroplane Explains and Aircrew series over the past few years; and it was Ian's idea to bring together material by several other digital artists to show what they are capable of and explain their methods. "I was stunned when I first saw examples of their work", says Michael Oakey, "and I knew they would appeal to a wide cross-section of enthusiasts. These pictures are not just great images; anyone who has made aircraft models or been interested in the nuts-and-bolts of how full-sized machines are put together will also identify with the techniques these artists use to 'build' their work. At its best, digital aviation art is absolutely spine-tingling."



Visit our interactive gallery of work by the digital artists appearing in May's Aeroplane, and see if you agree! (Mouse-over the thumbnails above to see a larger verion of each image).

Links to the artists' websites (all links open a new browser window):

Rob Armstrong: www.rob-armstrong.com

Ian Bott: www.ianbottillustration.co.uk

Juanita Franzi http://aeroillustrations.com

Mark Harris: http://web.mac.com/mark_harris/iWeb/MAIN/Welcome.html

Gareth Hector: www.aviation-arthouse.com/view_photog.php?photogid=2

Mark Karvon: www.markkarvon.com

John Wallin Liberto: www.aviation-arthouse.com/view_photog.php?photogid=3

Wiek Luijken: www.aviation-arthouse.com/view_photog.php?photogid=1

Marek Rys: http://www.airart3d.com/New_in_Gallery/